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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Border terrier has brief trembling episodes, any ideas before the vet?

4 replies

CrowsInMyGarden · 07/06/2026 21:41

I have a 11 year old border terrier.

For the past few years she has had episodes of trembling and looking as if she is in pain. Sometimes it does not happen for months, the most it has happened is 3 times in a week. Her tail goes between her legs and she crouches low to the floor and trembles. This only lasts a few minutes and then she is back to normal and happy. I don't think it is a seizure, she is conscious throughout. I did think it was some sort of indigestion as she loves her food and eats way too fast but I have been giving her 4 small meals instead of her usual larger two and also using a slow feeder. The vet prescribed Buscopan but this hasn't helped and she had an episode this week early in the morning before she had eaten.

I know Borders can suffer with CECS but I have looked at clips of this on YouTube and it doesn't look like that. Anyone know if they can get a mild version of this and would she get this later in life? I always thought it was something they had from birth.

She is due a check up at the Vets on Tuesday so I will mention it again but last time I spoke to the vet she checked dog over thoroughly and could find nothing. No arthritis or spine issues and she had teeth cleaned and checked just a few months ago so not toothache.

She does have chronic pancreatitis but this is well controlled by giving her only low fat food. Throughout her life her anal glands have given her issues and have ruptured a few times. She has regular checks on them now and they are ok at the moment.

Just wondered if anyone had any ideas?

OP posts:
dennydan · 08/06/2026 08:22

Is her pancreatitis well controlled if she is showing episodes of pain?

Trembling as you say is sign of pain. The fact she did it when she had not eaten could also indicate gastric reflux issues.

CrowsInMyGarden · 08/06/2026 16:26

@dennydan Thank you for answering. I'm assuming Pancreatitis is well controlled at the moment as whenever she has a flare up she has diarrhoea and doesn't want to eat and that isn't the case at the moment. I'm keeping a very detailed diary to show the vet but it hasn't happened since I started the diary! I'll see what the vet says tomorrow.

OP posts:
dennydan · 08/06/2026 18:30

Really hope you can get to the bottom of it. Typically that when you try to monitor things symtons disappear. Fingers crossed that is the cure!

CrowsInMyGarden · 25/06/2026 21:22

@dennydan she had two more episodes. I took her to vets last week and they said it is either CECS, a cramping syndrome that affects borders which needs a strict gluten free diet or you were correct and her pancreas is struggling a bit. Vet prescribed some enzyme meds to sprinkle on her food once a day to support her pancreas. Don’t know which one is the cure but she has been great this past week, no sign of pain at all. Thanks

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